Goal #36

Goal #36 Invest in Real Estate

Not quite there BUT I'm starting to figure it out. Love this book! Recommend it to all beginners out there like me!

Robert Allen, a family friend, took on a daring challenge. He said he could take 3 people out of an unemployment line, teach the basic principles of Real Estate and in 90 days they would have $5,000 in the bank. So he does it! (Shameless plug for my dad who helped in the project.) The reason I'm loving this book is because it follows real people (beginners), teaches basic Real Estate principles, and motivates me to accomplish my goal.

Highly recommended.

More to come... hopefully!

Goal #23

Goal #23: Work with troubled youth

The dreaded job hunt. It's the course of life right? Graduate, find a job. 

Well I finally bucked up and started applying for EVERYTHING I could. I got a couple of awesome offers but they weren't quite right. And then I got a call from...

 It's a resiential treatment center that uses experiential learning/therapy along with traditional therapy. And its obviously the best job EVER! I love the fact that I come home from an 8 hour shift and still love it. These kids are inspiring! I'm so glad I held out for the right job. 

STRENGTH IS IN THE STRUGGLE.

discovery ranch motto

Sibling Sleepover

Haven't done this in a long time. ha ha.

Sure love 'em....most of the time.

Just because its been on my mind...

Let us earnestly seek the light of personal inspiration. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit for our specific life situations and for our challenges.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Elephants

Goal #22: Ride an elephant

This really has nothing to do with me riding an elephant since I still haven't. But look how incredible this is!

I know some animal activisit disagree with me but no one (including the elephants) were hurt. The people in torn Joplin could use as much help as they could get. I think it would have put a smile on my face if I was there cleaning up the wreckage of my house and saw an elephant helping out.

I was creative!

Ok. So not at all BUT I used this fabulous idea from pinterest (love!)...

...to put all of my cards together so they are organized and not shoved into some corner of my desk.

This is what I got. The covers are a little cheesy. Although, the Graduation one is not half bad for my poor scrapbooking skills. One day I'll try and make a decent cover for the other two.

It's a start!

Why are we so hard on ourselves?

I had a nice long chat with a dear friend of mine today. I told her she is to hard on herself. She told me the same thing.

Why do we compare ourselves to the ads we see of size -2 women?

Why do we criticize everything we do? We don't do that to anyone else.

Why do we assume the best in others and the worst in ourselves?

Why do we choose not to see our own talents?

Why do we only recognize our failures and never see our successes?

It's time for a change.

I am and you are too. Admit it.

Don't believe me...

The Best Birthday EVER!

I'll admit... I was NOT (and still am kind of not)

excited about turning 25.

25 is when you are supposed to know what you are doing with your life and you are already well on your way there. Well... supposedly. I have yet to experience that. That may be why I was dreading 25. Plus, a little fact about my family: we love celebrating birthdays. So you can image my dread even more when I didn't want to turn 25.

But since I have the best family ever they knew how to make it special... and less dreadful. :)

This is what contributed to the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

Goal #30: Swim with dolphins-CHECK

I have ALWAYS wanted to do this! So when we happened to be in Florida for a family vacation over my birthday we finally took advantage of the opportunity.

What did I learn? That I love these animals just as much as I did when I was 6 and told myself I was going to grow up to be a dolphin trainer. I think I'm addicted. I'm not sure once was enough.

Goal #7: Go skydiving or hangliding-half CHECK

Ok... so this sort of counts as skydiving because... well... it was... just inside a big tube. ha ha. This is definitely going to be a new family favorite activity.

What did I learn? That it is harder than it looks. ha ha. I also decided that I would really like to jump from a plane... I think. If someone pushes me out the door I think I'd be okay after that. :)

I also have to add to my new experiences one really cheesy one: I got to wear a Disney "Happy Birthday" button. First one in my 25 years of Disney experience.

I'm not sure why I was so excited about this... but I do know that being wished Happy Birthday all day by complete strangers was great. See it's not so dreadful afterall.

Happy Birthday to me.

Here is to 25 years of life!

Goal #6

Goal# 6: Attend the temple every week for a year

Well, if I were to be completely honest, it would be 6 weeks short of a year.

I love this image taken by one of the BYUI faculty

When I returned home from my mission in December of 2010 I knew that I wanted to spend more time in the temple. For the first year of my mission I wasn't able to attend because there wasn't a temple in our boundries. Fortunately, the last four months of my mission I was able to go to the Columbus Temple several times. 

When I returned to BYUI that January I  knew that I needed to be going to the temple regularly, esp. since it was literally less than a mile away from my apartment. During an interview I had with my bishop we talked about becoming an ordinance worker. I felt strongly that was exactly what I needed to do.  After an appointment with the Stake Presidency I received a call from the Temple and had an interview with President Thueson of the Rexburg Temple. 

We had a lovely interview and then he set me apart as an Ordinance Worker of the Rexburg Idaho Temple. It felt so peaceful and so right. I knew that was where I needed to be. 

I was put on the Tuesday Evening shift and began that week. At first I thought it would be a struggle to keep up with my schoolwork when I didn't have most of Tuesday afternoon and evening (3:00-9:00ish) to study, but I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to work around. I looked forward to Tuesday more than any other day.

It worked out that I stayed on that shift from January until December when I graduated from BYUI (I did take a break when I moved home for the month and half break after Spring Semester).

Lessons I learned:

1) First, I loved taking the time once a week to focus on the eternal. This seemed to bring an appropriate balance to my life while I was focusing on school and career choices, etc. It was a constant reminder to focus on my relationships, my gospel understanding, and my love for the Lord. 

2) I loved learning the ordinances and covenants of the temple by heart. This has become a huge blessing over time. I understand now that when we have learned those things well then the Lord will better be able to bring them to our minds and hearts when we need them. 

3) I learned what a joy temple service can be. 

4) I learned to love the people on my shift (although that really wasn't hard). They became a family away from family. I was really the only young single adult sister for most of my time there and the rest of the shift were middle aged and up. I felt like the favorite grandchild to a handful of newly gained grandparents. I felt so much love for and from them. It was a hard good-bye when it was time to leave.

5) I gained a better understanding of how the Lord communicates with me. 

6) I realized the power of peace that can come from temple attendance and keeping temple covenants. That first year home from my mission was a great personal struggle. I was still learning to cope with depression and anxiety and it had taken a downward turn since returning home. The temple became a sanctuary from myself, in a way. There I could take a step back and feel the peace I so desperately would need. 

7) I felt how close we really are to those on the other side of the veil. 

I had so many wonderful experiences from this opportunity. I will always be grateful that I was able to spend so much time at the temple in my youth and that I was able to be tutored by such wonderful people along with the Spirit. I look forward to the time that I will be able to return as a Temple Worker.

Can I?

2011 Reads

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

-Dr. Seuss 2011 Reads

• A Disciples Life by Bruce C. Hafen=A+
• I very much enjoyed this book about Neal A Maxwell. I would recommend it to anyone. I would also highly recommend studying it closely with Elder Maxwell's talks and BYU/CES devotionals.
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• Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson=A
• One of my mission companions recommended this when I came home from my mission. Its an easy read all about how Neverland and Peter Pan came to be. I'm probably partial because I love the story of Peter Pan.
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Touch the Top of the World by Erik Weihenmayer=A

Simply inspiring. A man who has hiked all of the major mountain ranges blind. It inspired me to look past my excuses. Great read aloud book.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom=A+

Wow. If you haven't read it go to the library today and get it. She taught me so much about WWII, life as a prisoner, loving others and forgiveness.

October Sky by Homer Hickam=A

This is also a favorite story. The book is (of course) WAY better than the movie... which is saying something because the movie is pretty darn good.

1776 by David McCullough (audio)=A

I listened to 1776 during my long car rides. It was a great learning experience. Great writing.

Emma by Jane Austen=A

Its a classic. Enough said.

The Chronicles of Narnia (all of them) by C.S. Lewis=A+

This was my first time reading them. I literally couldn't put them down (even during my family vacation). They are also a MUST for every a. Christian and b. Child.

Beyond the Blackboard by Stacey Bess=A

Also an inspirational story about a teacher who taught in the homeless school in SLC. Quick read. Excellent voice.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (audio)=A+

Anne kept me company for a few weeks while I exercised. She was the perfect companion. Lots of laughs. Again, excellent writing.

The Help by Kathleen Stockett=A-

This might be the first time in my life that I have said that the movie is better than the book. A little slow. Easy read. Good story.

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (audio)=A

Eliza also kept me company while I exercised. George Bernard Shaw is a fascinating read.

3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson=B-

I have to admit it was an excellent story although I often got distracted by a. the poor writing and b. always pondering about why he would lie about his "experiences."

The Marvelous Adventures of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo=A+

I received this as a Christmas present and read it all the next day. It is an easy independent read, however, it is a sweet story and quite thought provoking. I will reread it often I'm sure.

Goal #102 Lazyman Triathlon

#102: Complete a triathlon

Well... we sort of... kind of... completed this.

In other words... we actually DID complete 26 miles running, 115 miles biking, and 97 laps swimming (approx 2 miles)...

Our team: Kelsey, me, and Afton

... all in one month!

Thus, the "Lazyman Ironman."

But I still think it counts.

I think we all learned how nice it is to exercise regularly. I developed a new love for cycling. We had some good roommate time. It was great.

One day I'll do this whole thing in one day.

Goal #26

Goal #26: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

COMPLETE

Graduation! December 2011

Lessons I learned:

#1: Obviously I have learned plenty of... Patience - With roommates, professors, inconvient sleeping schedules, etc. Endurance - Like when you are sick and tired but have that last paper to write. Honesty- Have I done what I've said I've done? Have I kept my commitments? Psychology - only the best major out there. :)

#2: I have learned that I DO NOT have to be a perfectionist. Although I should do my best work I don't have to be anxious about doing everything perfect. Its not necessarily the grades that count, it's the fact that I'm learning.

#3: I have learned to count the small successes along the way. One of my professors made sure I learned this one lesson. It isn't about waiting to hit the big goal. If you do that you will struggle to find happiness and contentment with your work. However, if you count the small successes along the way it doesn't matter whether or not you have made the ultimate goal because you have seen success.

#4: The biggest lesson I have learned is that the Lord has his own timing for me. I distinctly remember writing down my 5 year plan at the beginning of my college experience. I was graduating in three years with honors, doing an internship in DC, going on a mission when I turned 21, then of course I was getting married. Well, here I am 6 years later. I didn't graduate in 3 years or with honors. I didn't do an internship in DC. I went on a mission when I was 22 and I am still very much not married...

BUT I got to change my major and study something that really fascinated me, I took the time (advised by my mom) for some fun classes like ballet, family history, snowboarding, and archery. I spent 4 months studying History, Politics and Religion in the Middle East and 1 month studying Art in Europe. I served in the greatest mission on Earth with the greatest people! The year proceeding my mission I learned the importance and application of the Atonement in my life through real experience. Since returning from my mission I was able to serve in many callings including as an Ordinance Worker in the Rexburg Temple and as the Relief Society President of my singles ward (post to come). I did an internship at the Family Crisis Center helping victims of domestic violence. I also had the opportunity of being involved on campus teaching a leadership class, coordinating all of the sports events on campus, supervising many of the service opportunities, counseling with the adminstration to develop the BYUI learning model, etc.

The moral of the story is: The Lord knows what he is doing. It is my job to trust his timing. My life wouldn't be nearly what it is without allowing the Lord to be at the helm. But boy... what a ride it has been!

Just some life lessons from a humble graduate.

The girls...

I just have to admit that I adore these girls and am going to miss them very much!

September 2011

I'm going to miss Kendra's hugs and Thursday night movies.

I'm going to miss Kelsey bossing me around and picking fights with me... sorta. But I'm really going to miss her sweet acts of service and late night yoga in the hallway.

I'm going to miss Kylie's quick whit and psychology jokes.

I'm going to miss Afton's belly dance, her late night talks, and her laughter.

I'm going to miss Kristina and her sweet gospel insights and testimony.

Thanks girls for taking me in when I was homeless. :D

I just love you!

Goal #34

Goal #34: Serve a mission

Suzzy and I

I did! haha. I have been home from my mission for a year, today. Crazy.

I was just having a conversation with a woman in the temple about what a blessing my mission has been in my life since I've returned home. The skills I developed have blessed my schoolwork and my callings, incl. the ability to organize, make plans, set goals, talk to strangers, teach, extend commitments, follow up, etc. My strengthened testimony and experience with the gospel has helped me ride through turbulent times. My desire to serve others has helped push me out of my comfort zone. Lifetime friendships were cultivated.

I don't think I really realized how much a part of me my mission experience would become. I didn't observably change a whole lot from beginning to end, but I know now that those experiences created depth.

I'm glad for the experiences I've had the last year to help me learn and grow, however, I'm admittedly a little "mission-sick" (much like homesick but for the mission).

Some pictures to reminisce:

MTC District

I loved this group! We had so much fun!

We tried for months to get Sister Price (LA) to church.

She finally decided to come to Stake Conference!!!

Sister Thacker's first snowman!

Sister Gunderson and Sister Thacker made me this birthday cake.

If you look close it looks like the ancient Bountiful Temple. :D

Packing by all means necessary!

You haven't lived until you've tried deep fried oreos.

Sometimes you just have to let loose and be a little silly.

Thanks Lins for teaching me that life lesson. :)

Five of the six sisters going home (at least we had each other)!

This summer my family went back to Ohio with me to visit. It was absolutely wonderful (and terribly humid)! I will always consider Ohio my home away from home! My mother has all the pictures. I only have two to share, but they were both GREAT memories!

I got to see my dear sweet Kate! Oh how I love her. She was my very first lesson. When I saw her again she hugged and tackled me into the pew after sacrament meeting. ha ha. It was so good to see her! And she shared her good news that since I had left her mother moved from Ghana to live with Kate and was baptized! Kate is on the left and her mother is on the right.

AND... I got to be with Jen when she received her endowments in the Columbus Temple. That will always be a cherished memory with some of my favorite people!

Well... one year down. Another one to go. :)